Study on the Microstructure Modification of 6061Aluminum by Electron Beam Surface Treatment

Formation of Fe-Al composite thick layers using electron beam surface alloying process with nanometer iron powders have been investigated to improve the surface hardness and the wear resistance of 6061 aluminum alloy substrate. In this paper, the processes of electron beam surface modification on 6061 aluminum surface which added nanometer iron powder by electron beam surface alloying technique were studied. The microstructures and phase structures of alloying layers were analyzed by optical microscope, SEM and EDS, respectively. The surface hardness of alloying layers was measured. Friction wear test of the alloying layers were also carried out. The results indicate that hypo-eutectic microstructure was formed with fine grains, a number of new phases of intermetallic compounds were yielded and network structures were formed after electron beam surface alloying of 6061 aluminum alloy. The surface hardness and wear resistance of 6061 aluminum alloy was obviously improved after electron beam modification. It is better than direct electron beam surface treatment.